Mini Electric EV charger: which one fits best?
The Mini Electric has a small battery and charges at up to 11 kW at home. That compact battery works in your favour: on an 11 kW charger the car is full again in about 3 hours. You barely need to plan your charging around it. Our overview of all Mini EV chargers shows how the other models compare.
For the Mini Electric we recommend a charger from our 11 kW EV chargers.
Charging specifications of the Mini Electric
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Usable battery capacity | 28.9 kWh (32.6 kWh gross) |
| Max. AC charging power (home) | 11 kW three-phase, 7.4 kW single-phase (32 A) |
| Range (WLTP) | approx. 235 km |
| Charging time on an 11 kW charger | approx. 3 hours (including charging losses) |
| Charging time on a 7.4 kW charger (single-phase 32 A) | approx. 4.5 hours (including charging losses) |
| Charging connector | type 2 (Mennekes) |
Choosing the right charger for the Mini Electric
The Mini Electric reaches its full 11 kW on a three-phase connection, which supplies power over three live wires instead of one. A heavier 22 kW charger adds nothing here, because the car never draws more than 11 kW. An 11 kW charger is the right match.
Only have a single-phase supply at home? Then the Mini Electric still charges at 7.4 kW, as long as that supply carries 32 A. A full charge takes about 4.5 hours instead of 3. On a lighter 16 A connection the car drops to 3.7 kW and needs around 8 hours. Plug the car in after dinner and it is full by morning in all of those cases.
Two features are worth checking for this car. Look for load balancing, which lets the charger lower its power when the rest of your house draws a lot at once. Solar surplus charging suits a battery this small, because a sunny afternoon can already cover a useful share of a charge. An EV charger with an app lets you move that charge to the cheapest hours.
A MID meter is a certified kWh meter, accurate enough to bill from. It tells you exactly how much electricity went into the car at home. That helps if you want to know what your charging really costs. It also helps drivers who settle their charging with an employer or lease company.
At 11 kW the choice of chargers with a MID meter is thin. Most models with a certified meter sit in our 22 kW range. Those need a heavier three-phase supply than an 11 kW charger. Check what your home connection allows before you go that route. That extra capacity will not charge your Mini any faster. It only makes sense if the certified meter is what you are after.
Our home EV chargers page is the easiest place to start if you want to compare on price and features first.
Charging times for the Mini Electric
The sum is simple. A usable 28.9 kWh divided by 11 kW comes to roughly 3 hours from empty to full. That is with charging losses counted in. On a single-phase 32 A charger the car draws 7.4 kW and the same charge takes about 4.5 hours. A regular wall socket is a different story. That drags on for well over half a day, so treat it as a backup.
The Mini Electric uses a type 2 connector for AC charging. Some chargers come with a cable attached, others have a socket. With a socket model you plug in your own type 2 charging cable, which you also need at public charge points.
Other electric Mini models
Wallbox Discounter has charger information for the other electric Minis too:
- Mini Electric Cabrio, the convertible version with the same 11 kW onboard charger
- Mini Cooper SE, the new generation of the electric Mini
- Mini Cooper E, the entry model with a smaller battery
Frequently asked questions
Does the Mini Electric need a three-phase connection?
No, but it does charge faster on one. On three phases the car pulls its full 11 kW and fills up in about 3 hours. On a single-phase 32 A connection it charges at 7.4 kW, which takes about 4.5 hours. On a lighter 16 A connection it drops to 3.7 kW. Whether a three-phase supply is available depends on your country and your home connection. Ask your grid operator what your address allows.
Is a charger with a MID meter worth it for the Mini Electric?
It depends on what you want to do with the readings. A MID meter records your home charging precisely. You then know exactly how many kWh went into the car and what they cost. Anyone who wants to see what home charging actually costs benefits from that precision. Drivers who settle their charging with an employer or lease company need it too. Without a certified meter you are working from an estimate.
Should I have the charger installed?
We always recommend having the connection made by a qualified electrician. That keeps the installation safe and the work documented. Wallbox Discounter arranges installation in the Netherlands, Flemish Belgium and Germany. We ship worldwide, but installation is limited to those three countries.